Sangakkara hundred earns Sri Lanka draw
It was Sri Lanka who finished on a high after an impressive rearguard led by stand-in captain Kumar Sangakkara secured a draw at the Rose Bowl
It was Sri Lanka who finished on a high after an impressive rearguard led by stand-in captain Kumar Sangakkara secured a draw at the Rose Bowl
Scorer: S Balasubramanian | Commentator: Sahil Dutta
4.50pm Match over That's it. The inevitable has been confirmed and the series is over. England win the series 1-0. There will be a presentation presumably but an underwhelming one. It's been an underwhelming sort of series really. According to the Sun's Ali Martin 369 overs have been lost to rain in the series. Which tells its own story. Today though, was all about Kumar Sangakkara. Reluctant captain, out of form, terrible record in England, still found reserves to meet the challenge of battling out a draw and made a wonderful hundred.
Presentation Michael Atherton leads the presentation ceremony which includes Giles Clarke, Rod Bransgrove, someone whose name I forget from npower and two women from npower whose name nobody bothers to find out or read out. Clarke reads out a short tribute to Alan Hurst, the match referee, whose last game this is. Chris Tremlett is named man of the match on his previous home ground and is also named England's man of the series. Prasanna Jayawardene is named Sri Lanka's man of the series, accepting the award in a dandy pair of blue jeans. Clearly planning on starting his night out early.
That's about it from me, Sahil Dutta, and from Liam Brickhill and Andrew McGlashan. Thanks for all the emails which, during a rain-ruined series, have been crucial.
4.40pm It's dark, dank and raining still. There are better things to do than stick about here. Any real updates and you'll hear about them but for now go and enjoy that West Indies game.
4.10pm Pretty sure this is it for the series. Ending where it begun, as a damp squib. What would be a shame, if they don't get back out, is Samaraweera not getting a chance to make his first Test hundred in England. Meanwhile, for all of you who thought Sangakkara was cool, here is an alarming video. Thanks to La Sigh for sharing that. Actually I'm really annoyed I saw that. Ah! And here is the guilty man that made the video! "Thanks Cricinfo - you made me famous at last," says Amrik Singh. "That was me filming back at IPL 1 in Jaipur. Sanga, Watson, Lee were awesome all night singing songs from midnight right through to 7.00am. Not only is he intelligent and articulate but he also has the biggest 'in-brain' database of songs I have ever come across."
4.00pm Hmm, nothing to see here. There is Test cricket elsewhere though. West Indies v India.
3.55pm Without wanting to be the bringer of doom, it's not looking great out there. Covers spread far and wide.
Tea Excellent, battling cricket from Sri Lanka. Took the sting out the early attack and then scored quickly to take them to all but safety. Sangakkara progressed to his 25th Test ton, but his first in England before becoming the only wicket of the session. Gnasher will tell you all about it in his teatime bulletin. Might be worth keeping an eye on the weather after tea. As Andrew Miller says: "This series looks set for a watery grave." Fitting I guess. And how frustrating that Cardiff implosion must be for Sri Lankans right now. Covers coming on, by the way.
The sun is out again, by the way.
Sri Lanka have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during the third Test against England, at the Rose Bowl
Geoffrey Boycott believes England are ready for the challenge of taking on India, the world's No. 1 Test team, who arrive in the country next month for the start of a four-Test series
In the bigger picture England captain Andrew Strauss had plenty reasons to be content after securing a 1-0 win over Sri Lanka ahead of India's visit
Despite the rain, spectators at the Rose Bowl were left with the consolation of having watched one of the game's modern greats produce an innings that has been long overdue
It was Sri Lanka who finished on a high after an impressive rearguard led by stand-in captain Kumar Sangakkara secured a draw at the Rose Bowl